LAUSON-LAWTON CO.

The large portable engines shown in catalog #8 were available in 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 HP.

These hopper cooled stationary engines are pictured in catalog #9 and were built in 2 to 24 HP.

Reprinted by permission of Badger Steam and Gas Engine Club,
Baraboo, Wisconsin, from its 1979 Yearbook.

As we have done in each of our previous yearbooks, we have again
researched and compiled this history of a Wisconsin company. This
year we will be sharing what we have found about 'The
Wisconsin' engine, built by Lauson-Lawton Company of DePere,
Wisconsin. This history will center on the gasoline engine
business.

The C. A. Lawton Company was founded in 1879, just 100 years
ago. They were basically a foundry and machine company, building a
variety of machines needed at that time.

In 1908 the Lauson-Lawton Company was formed when Robert H.
Lauson joined Mr. Lawton and they started building gasoline
engines. The Lauson-Lawton Company, and the C. A. Lawton Company
were two separate companies-both with the same address. Mr. Lauson
was the Sec-Treas.; C. A. Lawton was President; and Edward W.
Lawton was the Vice-President of the Lauson-Lawton Company.
However, Mr. Lauson was not an officer of the C. A. Lawton
Company.

-Advertisement-

The Lauson-Lawton Company built less than 10,000 engines in
their 10 years of building them; they built engines until 1917.
After 1917 the Lauson-Lawton Company was in business, but they were
dealers for different items such as light plants, water systems,
etc. Since the production records are no longer available, the
exact number of engines built cannot be known, or can the engines
be dated.

All Wisconsin engines are of the side-shaft type. One very
interesting fact about 'The Wisconsin' engines is that the
hole which goes through the base of their engines, right behind the
cylinder, is to enable one to remove the wrist pin, or piston pin,
without removing the piston from the cylinder. The pin can be slid
out of the piston and through this hole.

Lauson-Lawton built 12 sizes of engines from 1908 until 1912.
There were the 2?, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 HP. In
1912 one more size was put on the market-the 1? HP. In 1913 two
more sizes of engines were introduced; they were the 24 and the 30
HP. In 1914 the 2 HP was built, making a total of 16 various sizes
that were produced.

Although Lauson-Lawton stopped manufacturing in 1917, the C. A.
Lawton Company is still in business today, at the same location in
DePere. This company which is celebrating its 100th year, this
year, builds custom hydraulic presses, shuttle presses, electronic
press controls, molding machines, injection molding machines, paper
roll wrappers and nydron gears.

Although many believe there was a direct connection between the
Lauson-Lawton Company of DePere, and the John Lauson Company of New
Holstein, Wisconsin, we were not able to find any facts which
proved this.

Research showed that Robert H. Lauson was a first cousin of John
Lauson; John Lauson did not own any of the stock in the
Lauson-Lawton Company. We realize there were many similarities in
'The Wisconsin' engine and the Lauson 'Frost King'
engine, however, we found no actual facts to prove any
connection.

Share your thoughts.

roger cummons

5/2/2009 9:49:36 PM

Need help with age of edger. It was made by The Lauson Company and has model # 55a-410 with sn-5109644. It is really unique.

The Square Deal Subscription Program is designed as a paperless transaction with automatic renewals at a preferred low rate. With advanced electronic notification, a 100% satisfaction guarantee and an easy opt-out plan, the Square Deal Subscription Program is the best value, risk free, eco-friendliest way to subscribe.